Nursery Web Spider

Subject: What is this
Location: Hopkinton, Ma
May 27, 2013 7:30 pm
My son-in-law found this tonight in Hopkinton, Ma. He said it was 3-4 inches.
Signature: Suzanne

Nursery Web Spider

Dear Suzanne,
This spectacular spider is a harmless Nursery Web Spider, Pisaurina mira. There is a more common color variation, but this particular coloration is pictured on BugGuide. Female Nursery Web Spiders exhibit extreme maternal care of eggs and young spiderlings. We will be away from the office in early June, so we are postdating your submission to go live on June 1.